Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) Sociology

Academic Year: 2014/15

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different) N/A
Owning school/department Department of Social Sciences - pre 2018
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body

N/A

Final award BSc/ BSc+DIntS/ BSc+DIS/ BSc+DPS
Programme title Sociology
Programme code SSUB01
Length of programme The duration of the programme is six semesters, or six semesters plus one academic year for students undertaking the Diploma in International Studies, Diploma in Industrial Studies or Diploma in Professional Studies routes.
UCAS code L300
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/socialsciences/sociology/

Date at which the programme specification was published Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:40:52 GMT

1. Programme Aims

  • To provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students can develop the critical and practical skills of the sociologist.
  • To provide students with the opportunity to study sociology in a multidisciplinary context where the value of interdisciplinary analysis is explored.
  • To enable students to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of sociology, especially concerning the relations between personal troubles of milieu and public issues of social structure.
  • To enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of issues in sociology through specialist study and research.
  • To enable students to learn about the key concepts, theories and methods of sociology.
  • To enable students to interpret and analyse social processes and structures.
  • To enable students to compare different social arrangements.
  • To enable students to address key issues in sociological analysis and in society, including social inequality and cultural diversity.
  • To enable students to appreciate alternative perspectives in social science.
  • To enable students to appreciate the value of sociological approaches in non-academic contexts.
  • To enhance students’ career and employment opportunities on graduating.

 

 

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

  • The Benchmark Statement for Sociology
  • Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
  • University Learning and Teaching Strategy
  • External Examiners’ Reports for BSc Sociology

 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

  1. Understand basic sociological concepts, such as identity, inequality, social structure and social change.
  2. Describe and examine classical and contemporary social theories.
  3. Evaluate contemporary social issues from a sociological perspective.
  4. Apply a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
  5. Analyse social diversity and inequality.
  6. Analyse the relationship between individuals, groups and society.
  7. Discuss the role of culture, media and representation in social life.
  8. Explain social change, including from an historical and global perspective.

 

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  1. Assess the merits of varied social theories and explanations.
  2. Formulate sociological research questions and select appropriate research methods to answer them.
  3. Evaluate and interpret research evidence on social life.
  4. Synthesize and critically reflect on sociological theories and empirical studies.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  1. Communicate sociological knowledge in oral presentations.
  2. Communicate sociological knowledge in advanced formats, e.g. posters, video, oral debates.
  3. Interpret and analyse sociologically relevant statistical data.
  4. Design and execute practical sociological research.
  5. Apply ethical principles in sociological research.
  6. Use sociological knowledge to find solutions to public and social policy and private enterprise.
c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  1. Master basic study skills e.g. referencing, use of databases.
  2. Locate and evaluate sources of information, synthesize information and deploy it in reasoned argument.
  3. Communicate and present information e.g. construct written arguments, contribute to group discussions
  4. Communicate and present information using more advanced formats e.g. prepare posters, write reports, oral presentations using powerpoint, preparation of videos.
  5. Design and execute research projects.
  6. Work in teams.
  7. Use statistical and other quantitative skills, including use of statistical software.
  8. Manage time and work: plan time and resources independently in the light of deadlines.

4. Programme structure

Programme Code: SSUB01

Important note: No module may be taken and passed more than once. Module availability is subject to timetabling constraints. 

Exchange - Candidates may apply to the Head of Department for permission to undertake an approved course of study at either a European University which is a member of the EU approved Sociology Erasmus Exchange programme or any other University with which the University has exchange study arrangements.  Such a course of study must be undertaken in place of one Semester at Part B.

Teaching Assistantships and Placements

Candidates following the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) route are required to spend the third academic year (Part I) undertaking an approved Teaching Assistantship either at a school or other approved placement in a French, German or Spanish speaking country in accordance with Senate Regulation XI. It should be noted that students undertaking a Teaching Assistantship should have a minimum of AS level in the appropriate language, or its equivalent.  The equivalent level in the University Wide Language Programme is level 4.

Alternatively students may undertake a programme of industrial training leading to the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) or a programme of professional training leading to the Diploma of Professional Studies (DPS) in the UK or abroad in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.

Registration on the DIntS, DIS and DPS routes is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory performance during Parts A and B.

(1)        Part A - Introductory Modules

COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

SSA001

Introduction to Sociology: Identities and Inequalities

10

1

SSA003

Sociological Imagination

10

1

SSA208

Narratives of Crime and Social Justice

10

1

SSA002

Introduction to Sociology: Global, Social and Cultural Change

10

2

SSA008

Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis

10

2

SSA006

Understanding Contemporary Societies

10

2

OPTIONAL MODULES:  Candidates must choose six further modules (total 60 credits) from the list provided by the department which may include the following:

EUA620

The Contemporary World Arena

10

1

SSA201

Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy A

10

1

SSA301

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: The Press

10

1

SSA101

Introduction to Social Psychology - Cognition and Social Influences

 10

1

EUA607

Introduction to Democratic Government

10

2

SSA202

Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy B

10

2

SSA102

Introduction to Social Psychology: Self in Social Context

10

2

SSA302

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Broadcasting

10

2

Or other modules in the University’s Module Catalogue approved by the Department for inclusion in the programme, including language modules in French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.

Note that students may choose a relative semester weight ration of 50:70, 60:60 or 70:50.

(2)        Part B - Degree Modules

COMPULSORY MODULES

(a) Compulsory modules for candidates taking standard route (total modular weight 80):

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

SSB006

Social Research Methods

20

1

SSB008

Classical Social Theories

10

1

SSB026

Sociology in Historical and Global Context

10

1

SSB032

Sociology in Policy and Practice

10

2

SSB007

Advanced Research Methods

10

2

SSB010

Contemporary Social Theories

20

2


OPTIONAL MODULES
(total modular weight 40)

Candidates not opting for an Exchange Programme:

Students must choose 1x20 wgt option and 2x10 wgt modules from the Departmental Options List. The selection will be as follows plus two 10 wgt language modules.

 

Code

Title

Modular   Weight

Semester

SSB030

Debating Society

10

2

SSB031

Stereotyping the 'Other'

10

2

SSB034

Surveillance Society

10

1

SSB113

Gender and Psychology

10

2

SSB128

Political Psychology

10

1

SSC138

Forensic Psychology

10

1

SSB221

Victimology

10

1

SSB236

Protest and Social Change

10

1

SSB237

Sex Work and Sex   Industries

10

2

SSB234

Media, Culture and Crime

10

2

SSB360

The Media in Global   Context

10

1

SSB364

Persuasion and Communication

10

2

 

SSC030

Debating Society

20

2

SSC031

Stereotyping the 'Other'

20

2

SSC034

Surveillance Society

20

1

SSC113

Gender and Psychology

20

2

SSC128

Political Psychology

20

1

SSC138

Forensic Psychology

20

1

SSC221

Victimology

20

1

SSC236

Protest and Social Change

20

1

SSC237

Sex Work and Sex   Industries

20

2

SSC234

Media, Culture and Crime

20

2

SSC360

The Media in Global   Context

20

1

SSC364

Persuasion and   Communication

20

2

EUB630

British Politics

20

1

EUB601

The European Union

20

2

Note that students may choose a relative semester weight ration of 50:70, 60:60 or 70:50.

 

Candidates opting for an Exchange Programme: 

(i) Candidates will take the relevant compulsory modules for the semester they will attend at Loughborough.

(ii) Candidates may choose options with a total modular weight of either 20 or 30 for the Semester in which they are in Loughborough.   This must include ONE 20 wgt option from the Departmental Options list for the semester in which they are in Loughborough.

(iii) Candidates must select the appropriate module from the list below to give a total modular weight of 120 for the Part.

Exchange Programme modules

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

SSB097

Study Abroad Module

50

1 or 2

SSB098

Study Abroad Module

60

1 or 2

SSB099

Study Abroad Module

70

1 or 2

(3)        Part I

One of the following:

Code

Title

Sem

SSI001

Diploma in Professional Studies Placement (DPS, non credit-bearing)

1 & 2

SSI002

or

EUI002

Diploma in International Studies Placement (DIntS, non credit bearing)

or

Work Placement (DIntS, non-credit bearing)

(For Diploma in International Studies)

1 & 2

SSI003

Diploma in Industrial Studies Placement (DIS, non credit-bearing)

1 & 2

Students choosing to study on the Exchange One Semester Abroad in Part B will only be allowed to additionally participate in an assistantship or placement year abroad (DIntS, DIS or DPS) in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Department. 

(4)        Part C - Degree Modules

COMPULSORY MODULES (total 60 modular weight)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

SSC099

OR

SSC499

Sociology Project Dissertation

OR

Professional and Applied Social Sciences Dissertation

 

40

 

1 & 2

SSC032

The Individual and Society

10

1

SSC033

Communicating Sociology 

10 

OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 60)

Candidates must choose three options with a total modular weight of 60 from the list below. A selection will be offered as follows, plus two 10 wgt language modules.

Module List

A selection will be offered from:

 

Code

Title

Modular   Weight

Semester

SSC030

Debating Society

20

2

SSC031

Stereotyping the 'Other'

20

2

SSC034

Surveillance Society

20

1

SSC113

Gender and Psychology

20

2

SSC128

Political Psychology

20

1

SSC138

Forensic Psychology

20

1

SSC221

Victimology

20

1

SSC236

Protest and Social Change

20

1

SSC237

Sex Work and Sex   Industries

20

2

SSC234

Media, Culture and Crime

20

2

SSC360

The Media in Global   Context

20

1

SSC364

Persuasion and Communication

20

2

EUC631 

Yugoslavia: Its 20th Century 

20 

 1

EUC672

The European Union and the Global Political Economy 

20 

 1

EUC609 

Spanish-Latin American Relations 

20 

 2

EUC674 

Power, Violence and Human Suffering 

20 

 2

 

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX. 

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.

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